Blind Shot The Unseen Game

Call it a home, a hub or maybe a habitat. Just don’t refer to the PGA of America’s new 106,000-square foot base of operations in Frisco, Texas, as “headquarters.” Last summer, when the vast, sun-filled structure opened, the message was clear: the organization’s blue-blazerand-khakis corporate vibe has yielded to a more approachable, personalized atmosphere in which all 28,000 PGA members, associates and staff can learn, collaborate and thrive.

Visitors are welcome, and as of May 2, they can stay in one of the 500 guest rooms or 10 four-bedroom villas at the massive Omni PGA Frisco Resort. That’s the only way you can play the property’s two golf courses—the Gil Hanse-designed Fields Ranch East and Beau Welling’s Fields Ranch West—or its 10-hole nocturnal par-3 called “The Swing” or twoacre putting course, “The Dance Floor.”

Both courses officially open at the same time as the hotel, with Fields Ranch East hosting the 2023 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship May 25–28. It will mark the first of 25 PGA championships hosted at Fields Ranch through 2034—and the first of five majors. The others are the ’25 and ’31 KPMG Women’s PGA Championships, ’27 and ’34 PGA Championships and ’29 Senior PGA.

In October, Fields Ranch West will host the first of 12 consecutive National Car Rental PGA Jr. League

Championships. And speaking of team competitions, look for the ultimate one eventually coming to Frisco: the PGA of America-administered Ryder Cup.

“Working with Kerry Haigh, the PGA’s chief championships officer, we feel there are so many ways to set up the golf course,” Hanse says.

His East Course, which can stretch from 5,012 to 7,863 yards, suggests Southern Hills in Tulsa, the Perry Maxwell classic that Hanse restored in 2019. The North Texas layout takes advantage of the area’s rolling topography, dry washes, omnipresent wind and meandering Panther Creek. The expandable fairways lead to naturally rough-hewn, grass-fringed bunkers and smallish greens with gentle breaks, strong slopes and false edges.

Known mainly as Tiger Woods’ senior design consultant, Welling intentionally created a somewhat gentler test than Hanse did. Playing between 4,166 and 7,319 yards, the West course also incorporates Panther Creek, but Welling intentionally integrated the fun factor. Its 75-foot-wide fairways and ample greens encourage creative shot-making, and the routing showcases the native flora, wetlands and wildlife of the Blackland Prairie.

And to fill those off-course hours, the Omni’s 12 restaurants, three pools, Topgolf lounge and spa will make you feel at home. omnipgafriscoresort.com; 888-444-6664— JON RIZZI